Garlicky Tofu With Spinach Over Pasta Recipes

MAGIC GARLIC TOFU

Steps:

• Prepare your baked tofu according to recipe instructions.
• Meanwhile, as your baked tofu (above) is draining and later baking, prep all of your ingredients for the black pepper sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together water, soy sauce, maple syrup, black pepper, cornstarch and ground ginger until combined. Set aside.
• In a large sauté pan, heat the butter (or oil) over medium-high heat until melted. Add the red onion and jalapeño, and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
• Slowly pour in the soy sauce mixture, and stir until combined. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer and then thickens.
• Remove pan from heat. Add in the baked tofu, and toss until it is evenly coated in the sauce.
• Serve warm, garnished with lots of toppings as desired.

TOFU WITH SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim and wash spinach; do not dry. Chop leaves in one-inch pieces. Cut tofu in two horizontally and wrap in paper towels. Put it under a couple of plates.
• Put butter or oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. A minute later, add ginger, garlic and chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic begins to color.
• Stir in garam masala or curry powder and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until it wilts, then add yogurt and a cup of cream. Pick out chilies and discard.
• Cook mixture over medium-high heat; liquid in spinach will boil off. When mixture is nearly dry, cut tofu into half-inch pieces and incorporate. When tofu is hot, add remaining cream and cook for another minute or two, stirring. Adjust seasoning and serve.

PASTA WITH GARLICKY SPINACH AND BUTTERED PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• After pasta has been cooking for about 2 minutes, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pistachios, garlic and capers and cook, stirring to keep the garlic from scorching, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add spinach to skillet one handful at a time, season with salt and cook, tossing, until wilted, about 1 or 2 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup pasta water. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high, tossing, until liquid reduces and coats the pasta, 2 to 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with Parmesan.

SPINACH, TOFU AND SESAME STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet or wok, and add the tofu. Stir-fry until the tofu is lightly colored, three to five minutes, and add the garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute, and add soy sauce to taste. Add the spinach and stir-fry until the spinach wilts, about one minute. Stir in the sesame seeds, and add more soy sauce to taste. Remove from the heat.
• Using tongs, transfer the spinach and tofu mixture to a serving bowl, leaving the liquid behind in the pan or wok. Drizzle with the sesame oil, and add more soy sauce as desired. Serve with rice or other grains, or noodles. You may also use it as a filling for whole wheat pita bread.

PENNE WITH ROASTED TOFU, PEPPERS AND SPINACH IN GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• FOR TOFU:.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Combine soy sauce or tamari and sesame oil in a medium bowl.
• Stir cubed tofu into mixture and toss to coat. Marinate at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours.
• Spread tofu in a single layer in a baking dish. Bake 25 minutes, or until golden brown all over, tossing with spatula halfway through cook time.
• Let tofu cool, up to 24 hours.
• FOR PENNE AND VEGGIES:.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red pepper and saute until tender (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
• Add spinach, vegetable stock and salt and cover pan. Cook about 2 minutes, until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
• Uncover, stir in tofu and continue to cook on low heat, stirring often, while the penne cooks.
• Drain pasta and stir in tofu and veggies.
• Top with grated parmesan if desired.

LIGHT SPINACH PASTA WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Boil pasta according to package directions but only till its almost done.
• Wash and clean the spinach and steam with a little water for 4 minutes in the microwave.
• Once it is steamed, blenderize it with the same water to get a spinach paste which is kind of watery
• In a large non stick skillet, heat oil.
• When oil gets hot, add the chopped garlic.
• When the garlic is slightly browned add the onions and stir fry till the onions turn brown.
• Add the tofu and stir fry till the tofu changes color a bit and looks slightly as if it has been fried.
• At this point add the red pepper flakes/powder and stir. Immediately add the the spinach paste
• Let it simmer.
• Add salt.
• When the water from the spinach reduces add the semi cooked pasta and let it cook completely. If you think more water is needed add that.
• I don't add cheese, but can also do the last step in the oven with mozzarella on top.
• I like this hot and cold--tastes good every way.